2011-P10-01

Behind the Scenes

September 30, 2011

I'm no Joanna Chattman (responsible for all the beautiful photos on our website), but I brought my camera along to the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fall fashion shoot and took a couple pics. Here's a little "behind-the-scene" look at what's happening now for Fall, Fashion, and Ode.

A big Thank You to the Gazette crew (Colleen, Rita, and Jenn), and to our models Kate Driscoll (our new intern!) and Sarah Morgan for their beauty, heart, and fearlessness in the face of unrelenting humidity, rightfully perturbed cyclists, and abnormally large worms.

Artist Interview

September 29, 2011

Payal Luthra, designer of luxury neckwear, is our featured artist for October's Arts Night Out. Influenced by her New York and Indian roots, Luthra creates playfully modern pieces with respect to old world tradition and quality. Bandit cowls and equestrian inspired buckles meet fine cashmere and buttery leathers.

Come meet Payal on Friday, October 14th, 6-8pm...and fall in love like we have.

How did you get started?
I am actually trained as an architect, but I had been considering the move to fashion from architecture for many years, -even while I was still in graduate school. But it was only about 2 years ago that I decided to pursue it full time. When I found the amazing cashmere mill and factory that I work with in India, it was a no-brainer, and it was the reason I decided to start with luxury accessories.

What do you love about your job?
Being able to create beautiful things! There are a lot of great things about my job, but its always exciting to see a new design come to life. I love the design process, and how each collection comes out of a different inspiration. It can be so free, -anything can spur a collection. I have also learned so much about cashmere as a material, because I am able to start with it when it is yarn, and work with a team of experts to customize how it is woven or knit, and finished. It’s a science in itself! I guess for me it is as much about the textile design as designing the finished piece.

Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration can come from anything, but I would say it mostly comes to me from my travels, and from film. A lot of inspiration comes from my Indian heritage as well, -traditional crafts, techniques, and patterns, that I like to play with and apply in a modern way.

Who is your role model?
There are many people who I admire, so I’ll cheat and give you a top 3.

1. My PARENTS - They have always been my role models. My aesthetic sense stems from them, and from my upbringing in the US and in India.

Role model in fashion: PHOEBE PHILO. Not only is she an amazing designer, but she has carved a unique career in fashion where she has always prioritized quality over quantity, and innovation that is beautiful, but always relevant and functional. She has even found a way to balance her career and family, -a hard thing to do at her level that I absolutely admire!

Role model from history: BERYL MARKHAM – author of “West with the Night”, who lived an incredible adventure of a life. I admire her optimism, curiosity, courage, and her constant desire to see what is beyond the horizon. Her words always encourage and inspire me.

What are your plans for the future?
If all goes well, I’d like to expand my line to other accessories, like handbags, shoes, belts…even jewelry. I’m launching my first kids collection this fall, so this is an exciting development which I hope will also grow over time. In the more near future, I’m thrilled to be getting married early next year!

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
I would either be a wildlife biologist doing field research, or I’d be a travel specialist.

What's an image that inspires you?
"I have this image on the wall in my studio. There is something so lovely about it. The mix of a refined black evening gown with a furry lodge hat, red lips, eyes hidden from view. Winter. It's full of contrast, with its playfulness and elegant beauty. It just sets a scene that inspires a mood."

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?
“ …think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."
—Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

You’re building a robot. What does it do?
It takes care of my production details and schedules in India when I’m not there, so that I don’t have to wake up for 4am calls with my production team when I’m in NYC!

What's your go-to "happy" song?
Whatever Happened –The Strokes.

What super power would you like to have, and why?
Ooh, that’s tough. I’d say it’s a tie between being able to fly like Superman, and being able to stop time. Flying would be amazing! Besides being able to dash all over the globe within minutes, it would just be so fun. And being able to stop time would make my life so much easier! There are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Plus, think of all the pranks you could pull…

Featured Look

September 22, 2011

My favorite season is upon us! There is nothing I enjoy more in New England than the warm colors of Autumn cascading down the mountains of New England. Shades of garnet, pumpkin, and amber transform the mountains from forest green broccoli-like bushels into vibrant bouquets of Fall foliage.

The Berkshires

For our Fall look book, The Dreamcatcher, we introduced a fresh face to the Ode model roster, Bridgette Fortier. Bridgette has an immaculate complexion and a natural brown tone to her skin, being part Native American. Her high cheekbones, radiant smile, and distinct profile welcomed the copper toned palette that would translate from day to night.

Photo credit: Chattman Photography

To begin, I prepped Bridgette's face with moisturizer let that sit and layered it with Sephora's Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer. I like to use primer for shoots because it evens out the complexion and makes the foundation last longer between changes. For everyday use it's helpful to apply it after your moisturizer sets in if you know you are heading out after work.

Next, I applied a light liquid foundation all over her face and brushed a warm mauve blush across her cheekbones.

To build the eye, I started with a neutral matte shadow with a flat brush. Flat brushes offer full, even coverage along the lid. Then with an angled eye shadow brush, I used a brown shadow with a bit of shimmer in it to deepen the eye. I applied an orange copper shadow over the brown to lighten and give it a golden finish. Along the brow bone I added a little bit of the neutral to highlight. To complete the eye coat lashes with mascara on the top and bottom. At night I would add a mauve lip gloss or lipstick.

Photo Credit: Chattman Photography

And there you have it, a transitional look with natural highlights. Enjoy the first few weeks of Fall!

Inspiration

September 20, 2011

We love a woman with a good pair of shoes and great heart. That's why when Jen Santos asked Ode to participate in a Fall fashion show at Twin Hills Country Club in East Longmeadow, benefiting "Dress for Success," we couldn't resist. Champagne and maxi dresses flowed, and our beautiful models (Sarah, Kayla, Bridgette and Thurraya) rocked the runway with style, poise, and heart. Jo Chattman, our ever-muse and artist extraordinaire, captured the love. Thanks to all who came, saw, and cared.

Featured Look

September 15, 2011

One trend I have totally fallen for are the way girls are wearing the chiffon/silk maxi skirt. It's a wardrobe piece that can be worn with all kinds of different accessories and shoes--and, with the added fabric, it's an interesting and pretty way to wear color. Powdery pink, rusty shades of yellow, orange, and brown, and prints dominate this category. Although, I do love the drawn out black skirts that are sheer enough to layer.

Pleating and draping create eye-catching movement. Pairing with neutrals, going monochromatic, or using complimentary accessories are all options.

I love the tail hem cuts on these skirts--short in front, longer in back. Tail hems elongate the figure, and are a great way for women who are on the petite side to pull off the maxi. I also like that the girl on the right has this belted with a cropped jacket and sneakers. A sweet and casual way to do sporty.

The gothic gypsy spirit in me will probably always lean towards all black (see image 1), but I love how sheer pink tones work layered with something darker and form-fitting underneath (see image 2). It takes the trend to a more elegant place. I like how the delicate fabric on skin allows the model's tattoos to just barely peek out. Paired with the heavier printed fabric on the bottom adds interest and edge.

This Fall we have added the NYC based line, WiNK, to Ode. Currently in is the Genevieve Long dress (left) in Blush and Charcoal. You can wear the shrug part of the dress on or off the shoulders. The dress has a tail hem, and looks fantastic with a belt, tights, ankle boots or an open toed shoe. Also in is the Heather skirt in Rust. It has an elastic waist with an asymmetrical hem and works well with cream-colored sweaters and shades of blue.